Galaxy Mapper: The Luminous Discoveries of Astrophysicist Hélène Courtois by Allie Summers & illustrated by Sian James

Galaxy Mapper: The Luminous Discoveries of Astrophysicist Hélène Courtois 

ISBN: 9781536228977
Hardcover $18.99 US
MIT Kids Press

My thoughts:  This is a picfturebook biographical story of a girl born in 1970 who was inquisitive. She observed, questioned, and had ideas. She, in my opinion, was blessed to have had parents who provided surroundings and activities that encouraged and allowed her curosity to flourish. She is also the fortunate beneficiary of the achievements of women who blazed the way for women's inclusion into scientific fields of study.

Growing up in the alps, she hiked and had trail maps to guide her. She went on to study other maping ways. She found interest in gazing at the moon with her bird watching binoculars. She loved the night sky.

Being highly intelligent she attended university (first in her family) intending to study medicine. Soon she found her interest more aligned with the stars and commenced the study of astrophysics.

She became a trail blazer herself in mapping the Universe discovering the "Great Attracter" which was a mass of galaxies including our own Milky Way.

A wonderful biographic book for young readers. Beautifully illustrated and includes a bit about the aurora borealis--the northern lights. Also in the story is the high level of mathematics required for the field of study. I found a detractor in the black print against dark backgrounds difficult to read. A slightly larger font would have also helped. 

About the book: Introducing our luminous address in the universe—and the determined woman scientist who mapped it with her team.

Growing up in a small French village, Hélène Courtois had big questions about the world around her. Avidly, she observed the trails, roads, and water pathways traversing planet Earth; but her mind always wandered higher, toward the night sky. What would a map of “out there,” beyond the moon, look like? The question traveled with her to university, where curious Hélène—often the only woman in her science classes—learned to map the compositions of galaxies. Numbers swam with the stars in her brain, and after years of wonder and experimentation, Hélène and her team make a dazzling discovery—a supercluster of galaxies they name Laniakea, home to our very own Milky Way. With fascinating back matter, illustrations that shine on the page, and a lyrical text written in consultation with astrophysicist Hélène Courtois—who continues to illuminate our view of the cosmic landscape—this portrait of a contemporary female scientist will light up young minds and inspire future sky gazers and galaxy mappers to look up and dream large.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.